It’s here–the event you engaged ladies have been waiting for is here! January 7th-13th, Chevy Chase Bridal (5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW) will hold its Semi-Annual Sample Sale. Receive up to 80% off dozens of sample gowns from Justin Alexander, Romona Keveza, Simone Carvalli and many more!

Ladies, if you have no idea, gowns can cost in the thousands of dollars. I was personally there when a friend of mine spent $1500 on a dress. A dress. Now yes, it is THEE dress, but it’s a dress. You’ll wear it TWICE if you’re lucky – once for pictures before the wedding and then the day of. And let me tell you that every dollar counts in a wedding budget. That $1500 or at least part of it, could have been spent on another element that you really wanted but wasn’t part of the budget (for me, it was the chocolate fountain.)

So let me share another Soulcialite tip. Please ladies, if you have the good sense, and especially if you DON’T have the budget, consider a Sample Sale for your one time wear gown.

Now personally, I participated in the Filene’s Running of the Brides for my Bridal Gown. It was a fantastic experience. So much so that I encouraged my best friend and a co-worker to go and they both found their gowns too.

My point: while it may be one of the most important elements of your wedding (aside from the pesky love thing) you will wear your bridal gown one time, two times TOPS (if you take engagement photos). You can save a nice chunk of change by looking at Sample sales or participating in the Running of the Brides, where you can buy a gown that would have normally been outside of your price range.

A few weeks ago, I didn’t know what was wrong with me. I had purchased a brand new tote bag from one of my favorite Soulcialite friendly sites and I waited nearly two weeks to break it out. Well, let me tell you, I was robbing myself. Because when I finally got around to using the bag, I fell in love with this Michael Kors Jacquard Tote.

Stylish, Functional Michael Kors Jacquard Tote

I used it to travel back to South Carolina for the holiday and I have to admit that I LOVE how incredibly spacious, not to mention stylish this bag is. Notice the hanging MK symbol in a weighty gold.

This bag was so big and spacious, it carried all of my electronic devices (ipod, camera, cell phone) along with books for the trip without being too bulky.

The bag has also been incredibly stylish with a variety of wardrobes- office wear or casual. It caught the eye of several, including my grocery store check out girl. Take it anywhere. It fits nicely on your shoulder or in your arm crease.

The website where I bought this fabulous new handbag to add to my Collection is accepting new members. If you want one, simply click here.

Happy Shopping!

Soulcialites, what bags are you rocking to start the year? Send your pics!

That’s interesting, because she was at FBCGlenarden over the weekend, gifting all kinds of expensive looking clothes to the First Lady of the church. At the time Kai Milla mentioned that coming soon, her fashions would be in retailers like Nordstrom and Saks Jandel, not to be confused with Saks Fifth Avenue. Jandel carries high style and fashion from well-known names like Valentino, Yves St. Laurent, Max Mara and Michael Kors.

Now, I did find it odd that the promotional video played at the Beyond, Beyond Women’s Conference, to introduce Kai Milla was from last year. But the video boasted Kai Milla’s support from Michelle Obama, Oprah, Eva Mendes, and all the other ladies of color in Hollyweird.

According to the New York Post, “Milla’s last collection was for spring/summer 2010, and was presented during New York Fashion Week last September at the Museum of Art and Design at Columbus Circle.”

Apparently, KMDesigns owes Modeling agencies, production crews, design assistants, pattern makers, office and store landlords in New York and LA. But she has been unavailable and cannot be reached by phone or email. They should have been at FBC Glenarden on Saturday. Kai Milla, on the left in the picture above, perhaps became best known when the First Lady Michelle Obama wore a Kai Milla Design in February 2009 at the Library of Congress and at a Stevie Wonder performance at the White House.

On Saturday Kai MIlla gave a preview of what’s supposed to be in stores next year – fabulous formal wear and one of a kind suits. Some of the other features were scarves, capes, sparkly clutches, and a large leather hobo that of course caught my eye.

I did get one outfit idea – a cranberry sheath dress with a heather gray cardigan with a white belt. I love those pops of color. Let’s see if I can put that outfit together this season. I’ll be sure to take a pic and let you know!

A Shopping Mixer for the Glam@Heart, Featuring Local and CRAVEDC Business Owners

Washington, D.C. (July 2, 2010) – The GlamourHolics are at it again! This time, they’re highlighting business owners to be featured in the soon-to-be-released 2010 edition of CRAVEDC – The Urban Girl’s Manifesto! On Saturday, July 10, 2010 from 4 to 8pm at the Upscale Aloft Hotel located at the Gaylord National Harbor.

The GlamourHolics will host a shopping mixer for the ‘Glam@Heart’ that will bring together some of Maryland, DC and Virginia’s most unique and best kept secrets in retail. This event will be the ultimate female shopping event of the year. Bring your girlfriends, your wallet, and your fabulosity because this is an event for marvelous women of all ages!

Throughout the evening there will be glamorous prize giveaways, an exclusive silent auction and of course, the coveted Glam Swag Bag to the first 50 guests to arrive! For this event, GlamourHolics have enlisted secret judges who will mix and mingle in the crowd, scanning for trendsetters who are worthy of receiving top notch GlamourHolic Gift Giveaways! Attendees will be secretly judged in the following categories:

‘Helluva’ Handbag,

Most Majestic Jewels,

Stellar Stilettos and,

The Ultimate GlamourHolic

This event will attract hundreds of women for these 4-hours, complete with spectacular shopping, light fare, style and beauty consultations, prizes/giveaways and product sampling/demos.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit, BeautyRoxxDC. “Beauty Roxx DC has been established to empower young women to overcome academic, social, and emotional difficulties so that they can reach their full potential; to provide young women with the opportunity to become prominent leaders in our society by giving them the tools necessary to achieve excellence in all facets of their lives; to promote healthy responsible behavior that allows girls to grow socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.”

For more information on tickets, sponsoring, or general information, please visit www.GlamourHolics.com, or call 202-465-2576

This Soulcialite has the mind to hop on the Bolt Bus from Metro Center and ride up to NYC for this trunk show, hosted by MemoryLanebyToya and brought to my attention by CLI Event Group.

Harlemites, look for early gifts. Ladies, you might just find the perfect dress for that Holiday party; Gents, check for those perfect pair of earrings for your lady.

The Harlem Holiday Trunk Show will take place at Casa Frela Gallery (47 West 119th Street New York, NY), a beautifully renovated brownstone in Harlem’s Mount Morris Park Historic Landmark District. The event will feature ten designers within the landscape of a dynamic art installation.

While a DJ spins, enjoy a one-stop shopping experience of high quality fashion, accessories, and home decor products by emerging artists of various mediums.